there's a lot of hoopla on the web and on stereophile about the original ps1 being an exceptional cdp, and i tell ya, there's something to it. like dylanfan says, it's not especially detailed or etched, but it has a really engaging vinyl-like sound. also like dylanfan says, it's cheaply built and has awkward interface, but it really does sound good. closest sonic counterpart, to my memory, would be some of the older (early 90s) jvc players like 1010 which are really underrecognized. |
I like body in the sound that niehter PS1 or most of Rega CD players have. They both use boombox-like CD drive.
Alesis Masterlink CD-player-recorder will humiliate most of Regas and PS1 boxes and could be found cheap on web in $1...200 used.
The main advantages is strong presence, body and precision of sound. Capable of reading 24-bit CDs and HDCDs. Analogue-like sound is achieved with high resolution digital files. It also has IDE 40gb hard-disk.
Off the hard-disk the playback is superior to CD.
I've used it but had to sell long time ago. |
Marantz players tend to run on the warmer/less-detailed side of the spectrum. I also think the cheaper Cambridge and NAD players exhibit the same qualities. I think audiophile too often look for very detailed players, but end up not liking them. |
I have a Marantz 6005 but not that crazy about it. I might hook up an old NAD I have and try it. Good idea. |
I know the guy that started the whole Sony Playstation thing. When he asked my for my opinion on it I said, either Sony when designing the PS-1, took in to consideration that it may be used in an audiophile system and engineered the SQ accordingly, or the PS-1 just covers up something most people find disagreeable. To prove it, I went in my closet and got a cheap $40 Behringer plastic EQ and ran a regular CD player through it. I fooled with the EQ settings and got it to sound identical to the PS-1. |
I think it covers up everything I Don't like about digital. Solids very much like lps to me when I listen through it. Not revealing but smooth sounding. I'm going to keep it in my stack. Never have been a fan of CD players and keep trying to adjust my system to sound good playing digital music. Tweaking here and there looking for the answer. I think this moves me s lot closer to what I prefer whether right or wrong it sounds good to me. When I switch a/b with another CD player the volume goes way up and it just is way more in your face. I prefer the more laid back sound. |
I wonder if it's doing something to digitally Doctor up the sound? Equalization, dynamic range processing maybe? Anything is possible with digital and no rule that says a device must target flat accurate response. Often that is underwhelming alone.
Someone stick a spectrum analyzer on one and compare. There must be some special sauce in there somewhere. 🔮 |
I think it covers up everything I Don't like about digital. Solids very much like lps to me when I listen through it. Not revealing but smooth sounding. I'm going to keep it in my stack. Never have been a fan of CD players and keep trying to adjust my system to sound good playing digital music. Tweaking here and there looking for the answer. I think this moves me s lot closer to what I prefer whether right or wrong it sounds good to me. When I switch a/b with another CD player the volume goes way up and it just is way more in your face. I prefer the more laid back sound. |
Dylanfan,
I really like the sound of the original PlayStation 1 (1001) with RCAs. You can improve the sound further without subtracting what you like about it by adding the Furutech power cord and inexpensive Belden 8402 interconnect. I did and love it.
Please read Jeff Day Blog on the PlayStation 1; Day wrote a article on it in Positive Feedback, beside the Blog write-up. These articles might help you with ideas to get the best out of the PlayStation. I've owned mine for a very long time and it is extremely enjoyable. Yes, very analogue like. Best, Rob |
Thanks Mikirob. I will look for the power cord. Right now it is hooked to Morrow MA-3 cables. I might try the one you suggest as well and read Jeff Days site. |
"11-25-15: Mapman
I wonder if it's doing something to digitally Doctor up the sound? Equalization, dynamic range processing maybe? Anything is possible with digital and no rule that says a device must target flat accurate response. Often that is underwhelming alone."
I think its highly unlikely that Sony would have done anything to the PS-1 to enhance its audio playback SQ. Its a video game system that may be used to play an occasional CD. People like it because it covers up some of the digital "unpleasantness" normally associated with low cost CD players. |
So how much more do you have to go up from a low cost CD player to get a CD player that sounds good? My Marantz 6005 is fair but nothing great. My California Audio seems better until I a/b with the Sony. Any recommendations? |
"So how much more do you have to go up from a low cost CD player to get a CD player that sounds good?"
No idea. I go by sound quality, not price. Going by your description of what type of sound you are looking for, you may like: Rotel 1072, Arcam 33, Wadia 830, Meridian 508.24, AMC CD-6.
I've owned all of those at one time or another and still have the Arcam. Depending on what your budget is, I can list more. |
I've had a few...junk IMO..if you think this is digital you havent heard a great system..if you pay for shipping I'll send you mine . |
Missioncoonery thanks for the offer. I will take you up on the offer. I guess I haven't heard a good digital system. They all seem too loud and lose the essence of the music. CDs sound perfect but are missing something that I cannot place. What CD player are you using. Right now my PlayStation is hooked up to. Luxman 505u integrated and Dynaudio 1.1 contour speakers with Western Electric vintage wire and it sounds really sweet to me. |
Dylanfan,
I'd trust your ears. Good system, too. Smart that you purchased the vintage Western Electric wire. Is it the WE 16 gauge, or some other gauge? The Western Electric has a fabulous synergy with the Belden 8402 I mentioned above. Best, Rob |
What's missing with many digital systems is musicality. Often digital systems provide great musical artifacts, but lose the emotion of "real music." Tone, timbre, texture, color, fullness and weight and harmonic rightness is lacking in many mega-buck systems. I'm a musician, so is my Wife, Mom, Dad, and a number of Uncles. I like to joke: you are at a live performance, one member of the audience comments, "wow, Rob's guitar seems to lack resolution tonight and is he sounding transparent to you, Millie?" Millie replies, "not to me, Russ, plus they're not imaging well and I notice that drummer dropped a stick and it was not audible." Russ responds, "yeah, soundstage lacks depth as well; at least the tone is right..." Best, Rob |
Mikirob I have been looking for the Belden 8402 wire with rca jacks but so far cannot find any for sale. Any idea where I could find them made up already? |
Send me your adress through private email and I'll get you the shipping cost.. In have no use for it and lsdt time I checked eBay they weren't worth listing with the fees they collect...I'm using at present an esoteric but I've owned a few and I also would recommend the arcam fmj series |
Dylanfan,
Go to Jeff Day's Blog, jeffsplace.me; he has it listed there on the Western Electric write up on Yazaki-san and Belden. Best Rob |
Dylanfan,
http://btpa.com/IC8402-XX.html Is the link to the Belden 8402 at Best-Tronics Professional Audio. Also btpa.com. Good luck, Rob |
Happy Cyber Monday! Any audio bargains out there that you like...?
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Individual preferences aside, my Sony shelf system from the same era wipes the floor with P-S.
Even Sony boombox is better but maybe not so across the board better.
While their general description is pretty accurate, I am really starting to question Stereophile's grading system.
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